Power struggle: Converge-ROS, Ginebra-Meralco matchups an open race to empty throne

The power struggle for the empty throne gets heated as four of the remaining eight teams begin their PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup best-of-three quarterfinals series with nothing but securing a head start in mind.

It’s a battle between the independent teams and tournament dark horses with the Converge and Rain or Shine duel in the first offering while one of the best rivalries in modern PBA between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco rekindle its old fire in the main event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

And judging by how tight the standings at the end of the eliminations, with the four teams separated by only a game, the quarterfinals is being primed to be the most competitive and unpredictable the league has ever seen in recent years.

Tip off of the clash between the third seeded FiberXers (8-4) and the sixth seeded Elasto Painters (7-5) is at 5 p.m. while the No. 4 Kings (8-4) face off against the Bolts (7-5) at 7:30 p.m.

Both flying the banners of independent teams in a league dominated by squads under the two corporate umbrellas, ROS and Converge are setting similarities and friendships aside as they aim to take Game 1 of their quarterfinals series.

ROS head coach Yeng Guiao, for one, will be seeing old pals and familiar faces from the opposite bench but vowed to draw the line as soon as the opening buzzer sounds

Guiao, who was also a former politician in Pampanga, will be pitted against Converge deputy Dennis  ‘Delta’ Pineda, current governor of the province and longtime political ally.

“Actually, sobrang malapit ako kina Delta tsaka kina Dennis Uy. Pero ibang usapan ito eh," said Guiao whose ROS bowed to Converge, 96-103, in their one elimination meeting.

“Parang pamilya sila, pero pagdating sa ganito, siyempre mauuna muna 'yung interes ng Rain or Shine. Laban-laban talaga 'to,” he added.

The task for Guiao, though, is to contain FiberXers three-headed backcourt combo of Alec Stockton, Jordan Heading and Schonny Winston while also being wary of import Cheick Diallo, Justine Baltazar and even Justin Arana, if he is fit enough to suit up.

ROS isn’t lacking in firepower with guys like Anton Asistio, Andrei Caracut, Leonard Santillan and Adrian Nocum along with import Deon Thompson all capable of putting up great numbers.

Meanwhile, the Bolts and the Kings are opening a new page to their storied rivalry. It will now be a third straight conference where the two squads meet in the playoffs.

Meralco drew first blood with a 4-3 series win in the semifinals of last season’s Philippine Cup while Ginebra exacted revenge with a sweet 3-0 sweep in the quarterfinals of the last conference.

Even their lone match in the elimination was not lacking of thrill with the Kings fending off a late fightback from the Bolts to take 91-87 win.

Meralco import Akil Mitchell did not play in the contest while Ginebra rested most of its starters in the second quarter of that game, giving the quarterfinals clash a lot more reason to be worth watching.